Message
BY HER EXCELLENCY THE MOST HONOURABLE DAME CYNTHIA A. PRATT, ON, GCMG
Governor-General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas on the occasion of The Bahamas 52nd Anniversary of Independence
Today, as we commemorate 52 proud years of Independence, we gather not only to honour a defining moment in our history, but to celebrate the spirit that binds us, our shared identity, our collective journey, and the enduring unity that makes us One People, One Nation. From the shores of New Providence to the farthest reaches of our beloved Family of Islands, our archipelago stands as a beacon of
resilience, strength, and unity. We are more than a collection of islands, we are a people bound by love, pride, and an unwavering spirit.
Our theme, “Together We Rise”, reminds us that our strength is in our unity. Over the decades, we have overcome challenges, weathered storms, and forged ahead, not as individuals but as one nation, moving forward hand in hand. Bound by a shared purpose, we achieve far more together than we ever could alone.
Through the years, The Bahamas has embraced progress, adapting to the changing tides of the world while remaining steadfast in our values. We have modernised our infrastructure,
strengthened governance, and broadened opportunities for all, laying the foundation for a future where our youth can thrive. With significant strides in digital transformation, The Bahamas is rapidly becoming a hub for technological innovation, opening new pathways for young Bahamians to explore, create, and lead on a global stage. As we move forward, we are committed to fostering an environment where inclusivity and equal opportunity empower our next generation, ensuring that every young voice is heard, and every talent is nurtured, and no one is left behind.
Bahamians continue to shine on the world stage, excelling in sports, careers, and groundbreaking achievements. From Olympic champions to business leaders, our people are leaving an indelible mark across industries. Most recently, Aisha Bowe soared into
Message from Bishop Simeon B Hall
In this 52nd year of our independence as a sovereign nation, I make a clarion call to all men and fathers to recommit ourselves to be the best priest, provider, and protector in their homes.
Too many Bahamian men attach a little value to human life generally, and this is especially manifested in much too high incidences of abuse of our women and children.
All human life is sacred, but men who degrade, violate, rape, and murder do not deserve to be part of civilization.
Even during this festive time, part of our celebrations this year must be a national resolution that we demand of lawyers,
parliamentarians, and the judiciary to fix the egregious and ungodly legal system that allows a person out on bail for the rape of one woman, to then violate a child, only to get bail again.
The human rights of criminals must not be protected more so than the rights of innocent lawabiding Bahamian citizens.
How a society protects its women and children is a clear indication of how it sees its future.
history as the first Bahamian to travel to space, carrying with her the dreams of an entire nation beyond Earth’s bounds. Her remarkable journey is more than a personal milestone; it symbolises the limitless potential within us all. As a people united by purpose and pride, we are reminded
“LET’S USE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN”
- Bishop Simeon B Hall
that together we rise, lifting each other higher, reaching further, and dreaming bigger than ever before.
Today, let us reflect on the sacrifices of those who paved the way, the visionaries, and the bold leaders who fought for the freedom we enjoy. Let us also honour the brave members of our law enforcement agencies who safeguard our communities and defend our borders with courage and commitment. We pay tribute to our diplomatic officers representing The Bahamas in overseas missions and embassies with distinction, strengthening our global presence. We salute the dedicated public officers who serve throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, often going above and beyond to ensure our nation’s heartbeat reaches every corner.
Let us honour them, not just with words, but with action. Let us continue to build a Bahamas that thrives in progress, where love leads, and national pride remains steadfast.
As we look ahead, let us continue to embrace change, support one another, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous Bahamas. Let us lift one another up, strengthening our communities, empowering our youth, and ensuring that our nation continues to soar. May our unity, our love, and our resilience sustain us and keep us strong, today and always! May God continue to Bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Happy
As we celebrate the Bahamas’ 52nd Independence Anniversary under the theme “Together: We Rise,” we are reminded of the powerful call to unity and love. It reminds us that our greatest strength lies in our togetherness—that as one people, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone. Let this theme ignite a renewed sense of hope within us all, inspiring us to dream bigger, work harder, and uplift each other.
Now is the time to join hands and move forward as one nation, bound by the unbreakable ties of community and shared purpose. From the tranquil shores of Inagua in the south to the vibrant communities of Grand Bahama in the north, our connections define us and propel us forward.
Let us celebrate our unity, embrace our diversity, and rise together. For it is only together that we can build the future we envision. Together, we rise!
Visit our website at www.celebratebahamas.com for updates.
The logo for this year is a powerful tribute to unity and progress, beautifully designed in the vibrant colours of The Bahamas. In numerology, 5 symbolises change and forward movement, while 2 represents balance and partnership - together reflecting a compelling message of unified progress. The bold black border serves as a proud reminder of the strength and resilience of the Bahamian people, grounding the design with purpose and pride.
52nd Independence Anniversary, Bahamas!
Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, ON, GCMG
Flag raising ceremony in New Providence
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Grand Bahama flag raising event
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
OLDER THAN THE NATION
ITSELF:
67 YEARS OF PROTECTED AREA CONSERVATION
By ELIJAH SANDS Bahamas National Trust
As we mark our Independence each July, we inherently reflect on our journey as a nation: where we’ve been, how we’ve grown, and where we’re headed. Our natural environment has always been woven into the story of The Bahamas, but there’s something many Bahamians may not realise: our commitment to protecting these islands that define us began even before we became an independent country.
In 1958, the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (ECLSP) became the first national park in The Bahamas, following a historic expedition to the Exuma Cays. That expedition led to the creation of a visionary report to the Government of the Bahamas recommending that a portion of the cays be set aside for conservation, science, education, and recreation. Just one year later, in 1959, The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) was established by an Act of Parliament to manage what would become a growing system of national parks. Thus, our national park system is older than the nation itself, predating Independence by 14 years.
That means that before we adopted our national flag or the constitution of The Bahamas became our supreme law, The Bahamas had already decided that our natural environment - our forests, reefs, wetlands, and wildlife - was worth protecting. The ECLSP was one of the first land and sea protected areas in the world. Its creation marked a pioneering moment in our history, signalling to the world that Bahamians valued their natural heritage and intended to protect it; not just for now, but for generations yet unborn. Other iconic parks were soon to be established, such as Inagua National Park in 1965 and Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park in 1972.
Over time and often at the urging of the BNT and local communities, the Government of The Bahamas continued to declare new parks, gradually shaping a network of protected areas that now touches nearly every major island in the archipelago. One pivotal moment in this journey came in 2002 when a major suite of national parks was declared. This effectively doubled the size of the system, creating formal protection for ecologically important areas like the west side of Andros, Little Inagua, Bonefish Pond in New Providence, and Moriah Harbour in Great Exuma.
Today, the system of national parks managed by the BNT stretches across the archipelago, protecting rare species, fragile ecosystems, and culturally significant landscapes. These parks are living, dynamic, and evolving spaces, where science, community, education, and economic opportunity intersect. Our national parks reflect our growth as a nation, representing the foresight, care, and commitment that have guided us through five decades of independence. Just like the country it serves, the BNT itself is evolving. More Bahamians are being empowered through education and experiences to step up and protect their natural inheritance. A well-managed system of national parks is one of the best tools we have to inspire national pride, create opportunity, and protect the beauty and life of our islands. Our park system being older than The Bahamas itself is a symbol of enduring national values: stewardship, resilience, and pride in our natural world. As we celebrate our national independence, let us also remember the founding of our national parks and embrace this heritage together - protecting it fiercely, celebrating it boldly, and ensuring that 66 years from now, future generations of Bahamians will look back with the same gratitude and pride.
EXUMA Park Expedition
MORIAH Harbor Cay National Park
LITTLE Inagua
ANDROS West Side National Park
INAGUA National Park
EXUMA Cays Land & Sea Park
NATIONAL PARKSBAHAMIAN PRIDE
By ELIJAH SANDS Bahamas National Trust
WHEN we celebrate Independence, we often picture our beautiful flag flying high, Junkanoo drums echoing through the streets, and conch salad freshly prepared by the sea. These are familiar, cherished symbols of our Bahamian pride. Yet, there’s another powerful symbol, equally meaningful but sometimes overlooked: our world-class national park system. With 33 in total, national parks are the living, breathing essence of what it means to be Bahamian. These scenic landscapes offer us a profound chance to connect with nature, enriching our health, happiness, and creativity in a world that often moves too fast.
Consider Primeval Forest National Park, hidden away in southwestern New Providence. Within minutes of stepping onto its shaded paths, you’re transported back thousands of years into a prehistoric Bahamian forest filled with limestone caverns, ancient trees, and whispers of history. Think about Andros’ vast West Side National Park, with endless mangroves silently safeguarding communities by absorbing storm surges, buffering powerful winds, and sustaining livelihoods for generations of local bonefishing guides and fishers. National parks aren’t just places to admire; they’re active parts of
our lives, offering tangible benefits and representing our identity as Bahamians in ways nothing else can.
Independence celebrations remind us of the richness of our culture and our collective vision for the future. National parks embody these ideals, preserving cultural traditions deeply tied to our land and sea and providing settings for stories passed down through generations. They symbolise hope, reminding us that our environment is something we must cherish and actively protect.
The Bahamas National Trust is entrusted with managing The Bahamas’ precious national parks, and we’re committed to strengthening our partnerships with communities, organizations, and government to ensure these sacred spaces receive the support they need to flourish. Protecting our natural heritage is a shared responsibility, and success requires meaningful collaboration.
National parks belong to all Bahamians. They should always remain spaces that unite us, sustain us, and fill us with pride. As we mark 52 years of independence, let’s remember that protecting national parks is itself an act of patriotism. These natural treasures are entrusted to our care; not only for our enjoyment today, but for the prosperity of future generations of Bahamians who will one day stand where we stand now.
This Independence Day, my hope is that every Bahamian fully recognises that national parks belong to them. These are your spaces to relax, explore, and enjoy; to reconnect with nature, with our culture, and with yourself. So step outside and explore your parks: feel the sand beneath your feet at Gold Rock Beach; enjoy a family picnic at The Retreat Garden; or gaze in awe at flocks of Bahama Parrots in Abaco National Park. These places are your pride and your heritage.
Happy Independence Day to our beautiful Bahama land.
Around The Bahamas with
photos by Eric Rose
A PRIME MINISTER CAN CREATE HAPPINESS
But The Bahamas not even in the top 25
The idea that a prime minister can lead a country to happiness may not be as preposterous as it sounds. Look at the five happiest countries in the world for the past few years – Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and last year for the first time, Israel, prompted mostly by its younger population.
We can add Bhutan whose king captured our admiration when he created the Gross National Happiness Index years ago. Bhutan only failed inclusion in happiest countries for technical reasons related to polling. It’s likely to show up in the future.
You’d think that The Bahamas would rank among the top. Sunshine and warmth year-round, the most beautiful waters in the world, a proud nation whose people are as friendly and talented as any in the world.
But we are not even in the top 25. So where did Finland and fellow happy nations go right and what can we learn that would help this and future governments, leaders and statesmen follow a path to creating a nation of people happy to wake up in the morning, happy to go to work, happy to help a neighbour or stranger, happy even when times are tough. It turns out that there are three basics to fuelling a nation of happiness.
Number one is health and well-being, including mental health.
Number two is a strong support system, including social services and community support. Again, we fail that test. We lack the education resources we can depend upon, the well-stocked clinics, adequate medical and counselling services, the community centers for after school care. We have lost our sense of community, the kind our forbearers had, knowing there was family or a neighbour or a church or temple member who would have our back no matter what. We feel alone.
Our inner city youth are angry, restless, lacking a sense of belonging. We just saw that reflected in shocking statistics about teen suicide attempts and substance abuse, both at the highest levels in our nation’s history. Number three was the biggest surprise to me.
Low or no corruption. History teaches us that corruption has brought down more governments than any other single factor, but never before
had I considered that the absence of corruption was intertwined with a feeling of well-being and happiness.
Yet it makes perfectly good sense. Of course, you are going to avoid stress if you know the rules, not the individual in charge of making a decision that impacts your business, your taxes, whether or not your lights will be turned off because you are a bit late with your payment, whether you will be approved to invest, get a building permit in a timely fashion or qualify for a benefit.
When you apply for something and things are standardised, and all you have to do is ensure the boxes are ticked, life is smoother. There is no concern about which party you belong to or how much the clerk expected as a thank you for doing the job they were hired to do in the first place. Processes happen as they should.
We can create a healthier nation with simple measures like providing bike paths, swimming lessons, more exercise equipment in more open spaces.
We can grow our own food and offer tax incentives for restaurants that offer locally grown produce and poultry. We can stop tolerating obesity as if it were okay and did not carry with it the expense of a nation.
The beauty about knowing those three basics is that every one of those is something a prime minister and his or her colleagues can address.
We can strengthen our social net with voluntary services from populations we have been too shy to reach out to, our ex-pats who want to be part of a community.
We can rid ourselves of petty corruption and standardise processes from permits to real property tax assessments. We can start small. Every road we build or improve should have a bike path. Parks with a minimal amount or more of some form of equipment should be available in every constituency and especially in the inner city.
Sports, physical exercise, tennis courts, swimming for every school age student should be part of every curriculum not an afterthought. Changing the focus from treatment of non communicable disease to
preventing it in the first place with education at the earliest level will give us at least a fighting chance to be a happier nation. Every problem has a solution, every dilemma is an opportunity. There are no secret formulas or magical elixir, but there are three basics, each with significant parts. But only three basics – health and well-being, sense of support and community, minimal corruption. Think about it and imagine what it would feel like if one day the happiest nations list were published and there we were, one of the happiest nations in the world, The Bahamas.
“We can create a healthier nation with simple measures like providing bike paths, swimming lessons, more exercise equipment in more open spaces. We can grow our own food and offer tax incentives for restaurants that offer locally grown produce and poultry. We can stop tolerating obesity as if it were okay and did not carry with it the expense of a nation.
We can strengthen our social net with voluntary services from populations we have been too shy to reach out to, our ex-pats who want to be part of a community.
We can rid ourselves of petty corruption and standardise processes from permits to real property tax assessments. We can start small. Every road we build or improve should have a bike path. Parks with a minimal amount or more of some form of equipment should be available in every constituency and especially in the inner city.”
Diane Phillips
